The exhibition, called Our Research Story, celebrates eight early career researchers who have been able to lead groundbreaking studies thanks to vital funding from the charity. From targeting aggressive brain tumours to life-changing trials for some of the hospital’s youngest patients.
Alongside the researchers, the exhibition also shares the perspective of six patients or family members linked to the research that have the potential to transform the lives of future generations.
One of the patients who shared his story is 71-year-old Edward Taylor from Rawdon. After a shock diagnosis of bowel and liver cancer, he was referred to Leeds Cancer Centre at St James’s University Hospital for urgent treatment.
Here, Edward was invited by Dr Alexios Dosis to take part in a charity funded clinical trial that hopes to make surgery safer for patients with abdominal cancers. He was given a wearable, innovative device to track his fitness at home ahead of surgery, rather than using the traditional cycle test, which can exclude patients with mobility issues.
Edward said: “Although I was fit and well enough to use the traditional bike test, I understood that many patients who are frail or have limited mobility would really struggle. The trial was something simple I could take part in but has the potential to transform outcomes for future patients, trials like this are the only way to push things forward.
“I know that charity funding plays a key role in making trials like this possible. For me it was reassuring to see first-hand the process involved in driving change to improve outcomes for future patients.”
After taking part in the trial, Edward underwent a seven-hour life-saving operation which successfully removed the cancer from his bowel and liver.
Now, Edward is back to normality and has fully recovered from his surgery, enjoying spending quality time with his wife Linda, stepdaughter Sarah and his three beloved grandchildren.
Over the last five years , thanks to donations and Gifts in Wills, Leeds Hospitals Charity has invested £7.06 million to kickstart research projects across Leeds Teaching Hospitals.
In keeping with the theme of nurturing young talent, the photography for the exhibition was captured by Ruby Lee, student at Leeds Arts University.
The exhibition launched at the hospital’s Innovation Pop Up inside the Old Medical School at Leeds General Infirmary. It will then move to the Bexley Wing at St James’s as part of the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Research and Innovation Week from the 17 to 23 February.
Chris Herbert, Director of Operations for Research & Innovation, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said: “At Leeds Teaching Hospitals, research and innovation are at the heart of everything we do. The ‘Our Research Story’ exhibition is a fantastic way to showcase some of the groundbreaking research taking place at the Trust, made possible through the generosity of Leeds Hospitals Charity. These projects not only push the boundaries of medical knowledge but also have a direct and lasting impact on patient care. It’s inspiring to see early career researchers driving forward pioneering work that has the potential to transform lives, and we are incredibly proud to support them on this journey.”